PWS iPSC Biobank

FPWR collaborates with University of Connecticut-Wesleyan University Stem Cell Core to create a centralized high-quality PWS biobank of induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR) has established a partnership with the University of Connecticut-Wesleyan University Stem Cell Core to develop a centralized high-quality biobank of iPSC lines derived from individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). The PWS iPSCs Biobank maintains a high quality-controlled iPSC lines generated from donors with PWS. These lines are available for academia and industry worldwide.

In collaboration with Dr. S. Chamberlain and the UConn Stem Cell Core in Farmington, CT, we have established a validation and quality control (QC) package that has been made available to characterize iPSCs that have been identified as having high profile and value to our research community. This collaboration seeks to provide material containing the most pertinent available information using consistent and high-quality characterization methods and facilitate establishment of the iPSCs in the recipient laboratory. Each PWS iPSC sample provided through the bank has undergone a select set of validation assays. Assays have been performed in the presence of a complete set of comparator or control iPSCs maintained in Dr. Chamberlain’s Laboratory and the Stem Cell Core. The characterization package includes:

Cyto-SNP Analysis (Illumina) - This is a whole-genome scanning panel designed for efficient, high-throughput analysis of genetic and structural variations that are relevant to human diseases, including duplications, deletions, amplifications, copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and mosaicism.

Pluripotency Test and Lineage Score (Taqman Scorecard using undifferentiated and randomly differentiated iPSCs) - The Scorecard Panel is a comprehensive gene expression real-time PCR array comprised of a combination of control, housekeeping, self-renewal, and lineage-specific gene detection reactions. The resulting expression analysis report is generated by comparing the expression pattern of the test iPSCs (undifferentiated and randomly differentiated) against a reference standard composed of multiple functionally validated cell lines. The data is used to confirm signatures of self-renewal, terminally differentiates states, (i.e. in samples that have been randomly differentiated in vitro, and if the starting material is pluripotent, will be expected to develop into tissues of multiple cell types) and the data can be used to infer sample differentiation potential. Reference: PMID: 25138722 DOI: 10.1007/7651_2014_109

PWS-associated Gene Expression for MKRN3, MAGEL2, NDN, SNRPN, SNORD116, and IPW(See figure 1 below) - qRT-PCR is used to assess expression of these genes in the iPSCs. These imprinted genes located in the 15q11-q13 region provide evidence of how these iPSCs reflect gene expression patterns expected from individuals/tissues/animal models with PWS.

DNA Methylation Assay (PWS-Imprinting Center; PWS-IC) - PWS is an imprinting disorder characterized by the differential methylation that marks the PWS-IC. This assay is used to confirm that the appropriate methylation imprint is maintained in the iPSCs.

The results of these tests will be made publicly available (see below). Publications that may result from the use of the PWS iPSCs biobank should cite the validation process performed by the UConn Stem Cell Core in collaboration with FPWR.

Cell lines currently available at PWS iPSC Biobank

While the PWS iPSCs biobank is expanding, two human iPSCs lines are currently available for distribution including: